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Split Rim wheels
Hellfire - 22/1/06 at 06:45 PM

Why?

Do split rim wheels have any particular benefits/advantage over an ordinary wheel?

Why do they split into 2 and 3 pieces? Is it for multi-adjustability or some other reason?

I've never actually fully understood why they split. There must be a good reason but its not obvious to me........

Phil


stevebubs - 22/1/06 at 06:48 PM

3 piece splitrims are split into:

outer rim
patterned center
inner rim

Prime advantage is you can change the inner / outer rims to get wide wheels / more offset....

Second advantage is the bling factor....

Not sure on how 2 pieces split, but would imagine that 2 of the above would be cast as a single item (probably a complete rim with the centre then bolted in)

[Edited on 22/1/06 by stevebubs]


Guinness - 22/1/06 at 06:50 PM

The other reason is they can be fixed if you've had an off?

If you bend the rim, you can take them apart and fit a new one. Inside or outside, depending on the damage.

Mike


stevebubs - 22/1/06 at 06:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Guinness
The other reason is they can be fixed if you've had an off?

If you bend the rim, you can take them apart and fit a new one. Inside or outside, depending on the damage.

Mike


Yep..no need to replace the whole wheel - just the bits that are damaged...


stevebubs - 22/1/06 at 06:59 PM

google...google....google....aha..

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=90

http://www.splitrims.com/pages/information.html

[Edited on 22/1/06 by stevebubs]


Hellfire - 22/1/06 at 07:06 PM

So, the rim and the centre are made of different strengths of material. The rim is actually designed to fold on impact and can be replaced instead of the whole wheel.

So basically, its just the bling factor on vehicles other than rally/off road cars.............


asn163 - 22/1/06 at 07:07 PM

Also, isn't. it to do with the fact that the parts making up split rims can be forged rather than cast, thus allowing them to be stronger and so lighter?

Simon

[Edited on 22/1/06 by asn163]


stevebubs - 22/1/06 at 07:18 PM

Yep.

As an aside, If you've ever watched American Hotrod when they make their custom wheels, they make welded 2 piece wheels - the rims are manufacturered to a given width, and the centres are machined from billet. They then heat the rim up and insert the centre

Once cooled, they weld the centre in place.


omega 24 v6 - 22/1/06 at 07:35 PM

Repairability is the keyword. We use them for hotrod racing so that when you hit the wall (3ft concrete) and the outer rim gets torn it's easier/cheaper to repair.


Hellfire - 22/1/06 at 07:42 PM

Are the seperate pieces readily available from specialists - and are they cheap enough?


ned - 22/1/06 at 09:25 PM

twas about £60-80 for a mate of mines outer half when he knackered them at a race.

his were expensive (8's and 10's), but most of the money went on the magnesium centre lock centres.

Ned.


JonBowden - 22/1/06 at 10:41 PM

Isn't insurance dearer for split rims - I get the impression that insurance companies feel they are more likely to be involved in an accident.


Mix - 22/1/06 at 10:48 PM

As far as I am aware the major advantage of multi piece wheels is the weight saving, part replacement is just an added advantage.

Mick


chriscook - 22/1/06 at 11:03 PM

You also get a bit more caliper clearance as the spun rims are thinner than those on cast wheels.


Fred W B - 23/1/06 at 06:07 AM

Check out the prices here.
split rims supplier

Cheers

Fred WB

[Edited on 23/1/06 by Fred W B]


DarrenW - 23/1/06 at 10:34 AM

i dont know much about split rims but last time at Mac#1 they had a set of 13" image wheels in. I couldnt believe how light they were even with tyres on. That must be a big advantage on a race car.


omega 24 v6 - 23/1/06 at 12:29 PM

I'm sure it's image one's the BIL has on the hot rod 10"wide jobbies and they're not that heavy at all.


mk blade - 23/1/06 at 05:29 PM

The ultimate in split rims.

Found these at the autosport show.

Carbonfibre rim with alloy centre they were unbelievably light but not very locost the guy said there where going to be around £1000 a wheel.

Nice tho. Rescued attachment IMG_5230.jpg
Rescued attachment IMG_5230.jpg


Fred W B - 24/1/06 at 05:57 AM

Could you really fit tyres to those carbon rims without damaging them?

Cheers

Fred WB